17 Feb 2013 22:05:15
The first impression a reader might have when encountering Gavin Extence's first novel is that they're reading a book that could be called "The Curious Incident of the Boy Who Was Struck By a Meteorite". As with Mark Haddon's book, Extence depicts an unusual teenage protagonist, the titular Alex, who suffers epileptic fits after being hit by a meteorite and lives near Glastonbury with his tarot-card-reading single mother. The first third or so ladles on the quirk in a way that verges on cliche; for instance, wouldn't it be nice to have an oddball boy in one of these stories who isn't bullied at school? Thankfully, things soon pick up with the introduction of Isaac Peterson, an aged, dope-smoking Vietnam vet who forms an unusual friendship with Alex, initially consisting of a shared appreciation of Kurt Vonnegut. Extence seems much happier exploring their strange but heartening relationship, in which the potential for sentimentality or disquiet is skilfully avoided and undercut with some hilarious moments of black humour. (A pivotal scene in the headmaster's office, involving an unusual character assessment of an aggressor, is a particular highlight.)
When the material darkens towards the end, Extence skilfully manages to keep the narrative engaging and surprising. Mr Peterson, in particular, is a welcome antidote to those endless depictions of wise old men who know everything, being a spiky, contradictory figure raging against the dying of the light with impressive and stirring verve. After it finds its voice, this is a hugely enjoyable and even wise book, with plenty to say about life and death, and Vonnegut fans, in particular, will absolutely love it.
